Driving Safety: Lebanon vs. Switzerland Revealed
When exploring the roads of Lebanon and Switzerland, understanding the distinct regulations and practices can significantly enhance your travel experience. Key differences include lane markings, speed limits, and traffic signals, which reflect each country’s unique approach to vehicular navigation and safety measures. Equip yourself with this knowledge to drive confidently and securely abroad.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Lebanon | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Prepare to go |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
switzerland:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Lebanon | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Lebanon | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
lebanon:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay